The myth of bodily perfection

Journal/Book: Disabil Soc. 1995; 10: PO Box 25, Abingdon, Oxon, England OX14 3UE. Carfax Publ Co. 413-424.

Abstract: The paper identifies the myth of bodily perfection as one that permeates the dominant culture of late 20th century Western civilization, and points to ways in which the myth supports the creation of an illusory category of people called 'the disabled'. Grounded in an understanding of disability as socially constructed, and drawing on the experiences of women with disabilities, the paper further points to important differences in social expectations depending on whether one has disabilities that are visible or invisible. In discussions of disability, however, disabilities that are not visible are often ignored. It is concluded that this contributes to the widespread denial of disability and is oppressive.

Note: Article SD Stone, Okanagan Univ Coll, Dept Sociol & Anthropol, 3333 Coll Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada

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